Marin volleyball flexing its muscles

Marin County volleyball teams flexed their collective muscles on Wednesday, with Terra Linda and Tomales both winning their North Coast Section openers. The victories mean that Marin schools account for seven of 24 schools still alive in Divisions II through VI.
And there is no reason to think those numbers will be pared down much on Saturday, with five of the seven teams having the higher seed as another, Tomales, playing at home despite having the lower seed.
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Saturday will be a busy day for Marin County volleyball teams, with seven teams in action in the North Coast Section playoffs — and only one playing what amounts to a true road match.
That honor belongs to Terra Linda, the No. 9 seed in Division III. The Trojans, after a victory at Del Norte earned a shot at top-seeded Miramonte on Saturday night. And after their late-season surge against some solid competition in the MCAL, don’t count coach Keith Fleming’s crew out yet.

Redwood will host a volleyball doubleheader Saturday, with No. 1 seed Marin Catholic battling No. 9 St. Helena at 5 p.m. in a Division III match before No. 4 Redwood faces off with No. 5 Petaluma in a Division II match at 7 p.m.
Those matches will complete a busy day of athletics at Redwood, which also will be the site of a crucial (for Redwood) football game between the Giants and San Rafael at 1 p.m.

The Division V bracket finds top-seeded Branson and third-seeded Marin Academy making their 2008 NCS tournament debuts. It’s a good bet Branson will have the easier time of the two against Head Royce (15-18). Marin Academy figures to be tested by Bay Counties League-West compatriot Urban, which took the Wildcats to five games in one match and to four games in another.

In Division VI, Tomales earned another home match by defeating Rio Lindo Adventist Academy on Wednesday. The Braves will host Contra Costa Christian on Saturday even though the Cougars have the higher seed. Perhaps Tice Valley Community Gym in Walnut Creek, Contra Costa Christian’s home for volleyball, was unavailable.

The MCAL is the king (or perhaps queen, since it’s girls volleyball) of the hill when it comes to the NCS playoffs. The MCAL still has all six of its postseason invitees alive, more than any other league can claim.
Redwood, Drake, Terra Linda, Marin Catholic, Justin-Siena and Branson all will be in action Saturday in the quarterfinals.
Four leagues — the East Bay Athletic League, Sonoma County League, Diablo Foothill Athletic League and Bay Shore Athletic League — have four teams still in contention for NCS titles.